Skip to main content
Kneeling female figure holding infant.
Maternity figure (phemba)
Courtesy of the Harn Museum of Art, Photography by Randy Batista

Maternity figure (phemba)

Maker Kongo Artist
Maker Yombe Artist
Date20th Century
Place of originDemocratic Republic of Congo, Africa
MediumWood, shell
Dimensions11 3/4 x 3 7/8 x 3 1/4 in. (29.8 x 9.8 x 8.3 cm)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineGift of Rod McGalliard
Object number2002.39.6
Collections
Visual DescriptionKneeling female figure holding infant.
Wood and metal crucifix, wooden cross with bronze figure of Christ.
Kongo Artist
17th century
Carved seated female figure holding child.
Osei Bonsu
1944
Standing male figure holding a knife in his left hand and a calabash in his right, large carved feet, torso is covered with geometric scarifications, eyes inset with shell, has a beard, short cropped coiffure.
Beembe Artist
20th century
Standing male figure with crested hairdo and beaded necklace.
Yoruba Artist
Mid-20th century
Carved wood figure with various attachments: medicine bundles with feathers and other substances, cowrie strands on neck and head, monkey skull attached to front with cords, shells and seed pods and gourd bound to figure with cord, back covered with burlap; dots of blue and white pigment on figure; figure holds a club in each hand; has conical headdress, strand of red and green beads on back, iron chain with small conical bell attached at end dangling at feet.
Yoruba Artist
1969
Wand surmounted by a kneeling female figure with left hand to her breast and right hand holding a calabash; scarifications; double thunderbolt projection; darkened surface; patina.
Yoruba Artist
20th century
Staff surmounted by a finely sculpted kneeling female figure holding her breasts, with necklace, facial scarifications, surmounted by double thunderbolts, and with fine patina.
Yoruba Artist
undated
Vessel with kneeling female figure with hands held to the sides of a large lidded vessel in the form of a chicken; carved with a shallow base; scarifications; plaited coiffure; pigment and patina.
Yoruba Artist
undated
Hook surmounted by a kneeling figure holding possible rattles to the front, with finely carved facial features, parallel linear carved cap line, with long curving projection surmounted by zig-zag design, and with pigment.
Yoruba Artist
undated
null